Janie and Jack Fur-Trim Plaid Coat (2022)
Feb 22, 2024 20:00:06 GMT -5
Post by mamared on Feb 22, 2024 20:00:06 GMT -5
This cute coat was another piece of the American Girl + Janie and Jack collaboration that was released in late September 2022.
Official description:
Plaid perfection checks all the right style boxes this holiday season in this coat, created in collaboration with Janie and Jack. This Bradbury Red plaid coat has a plush faux-fur collar and cuffs, a tie belt, and gold-tone buttons on the pockets. $24
Additional details:
I was surprised that the coat is a single layer of fabric, which feels kind of like flannel or brushed cotton on the outside and has more of a smooth woven texture on the inside. Except for the dark fur trim on the collar and cuffs, it almost feels more like a robe. This perception is reinforced for me by the tie belt and absence of button or zipper closure. (It does have a Velcro closure at the top, and it also has decorative buttons on the front pockets, in addition to the tie belt.) None of this has a negative impact on the overall look, in my opinion, but I think it's worth noting.
Pros:
This is a really cute garment. I really like the red and midnight blue plaid, and I like that it can work for the holidays but isn't overly specific to the holidays. I also like how the plaid can coordinate with other pieces in the collection but can generally work with navy or red in many decades. (As other collectors have noted, this might also work with Molly.) I really, REALLY appreciate how the plaid matches up in the front, as I think this gives a much more polished appearance. I also like the two functional pockets in the front (which are adorned with decorative gold-tone buttons), and how the back of the coat has a slightly longer, curved shape. The faux fur seems to be a nice quality, and the plaid fabric also has a soft, cozy feel, even though it's lightweight.
Cons:
As noted above, it's not really much of a cold-weather coat. This is okay appearance-wise, but I'm not so sure it's worth the original $24 price point since it's more of a robe than a coat. I think that either reducing the price by $5-10, or tacking an extra $10-15 onto the price and creating a more substantial coat or one that's still lightweight but lined, could have been a nicer option. Also, the sleeves don't have a lot of give - it takes just a bit of effort to get them over the doll's hands when putting the coat on, and the puff-sleeve sweaters in this collection don't really work well with the coat. (I had to leave it open because the Velcro couldn't reach to close when I put it on Jess while she was wearing one of the sweaters.) I think it's best over a sleeveless top or one that's made out of thin fabric, and I don't think the coat would really work on one of the older PC big-bodied dolls. Finally, not a big deal for me but I do remember someone mentioning it when first released, the dark navy Velcro strip remains visible if you choose to leave the coat open. (Personally, I think that although it's visible, the busyness of the plaid distracts from it being too obvious.)
Overall, while I think the coat has some limitations, I do like the piece and I'm glad that I have it. I think I'd give it a B.
It comes in a package with a thick cardboard hanger (printed with both American Girl and Janie and Jack):
Outfit suggestions on the back of the package:
The plaid matches up in front:
Close up of the faux fur collar and the flannel or brushed cotton outside of the coat:
Close up of the reverse side of the fabric, and the label (no special label for this collaboration):
Close up of one of the front pockets (nice that it’s functional and stands out with the diagonal plaid, also nice that the flap has a decorative gold button): (NOTE THAT IT’S NOT THIS ORANGE IN REAL LIFE!)
I like the shape of the back, with the longer length, curve, and reverse pleat:
The coat closed completely when Kira put it on over the Tartan Plaid Outfit:
But no such luck when Jess put it on over one of the puff-sleeve sweater tops from the collection:
Even when it’s open, though, I don’t think the Velcro strip is too distracting.
Official description:
Plaid perfection checks all the right style boxes this holiday season in this coat, created in collaboration with Janie and Jack. This Bradbury Red plaid coat has a plush faux-fur collar and cuffs, a tie belt, and gold-tone buttons on the pockets. $24
Additional details:
I was surprised that the coat is a single layer of fabric, which feels kind of like flannel or brushed cotton on the outside and has more of a smooth woven texture on the inside. Except for the dark fur trim on the collar and cuffs, it almost feels more like a robe. This perception is reinforced for me by the tie belt and absence of button or zipper closure. (It does have a Velcro closure at the top, and it also has decorative buttons on the front pockets, in addition to the tie belt.) None of this has a negative impact on the overall look, in my opinion, but I think it's worth noting.
Pros:
This is a really cute garment. I really like the red and midnight blue plaid, and I like that it can work for the holidays but isn't overly specific to the holidays. I also like how the plaid can coordinate with other pieces in the collection but can generally work with navy or red in many decades. (As other collectors have noted, this might also work with Molly.) I really, REALLY appreciate how the plaid matches up in the front, as I think this gives a much more polished appearance. I also like the two functional pockets in the front (which are adorned with decorative gold-tone buttons), and how the back of the coat has a slightly longer, curved shape. The faux fur seems to be a nice quality, and the plaid fabric also has a soft, cozy feel, even though it's lightweight.
Cons:
As noted above, it's not really much of a cold-weather coat. This is okay appearance-wise, but I'm not so sure it's worth the original $24 price point since it's more of a robe than a coat. I think that either reducing the price by $5-10, or tacking an extra $10-15 onto the price and creating a more substantial coat or one that's still lightweight but lined, could have been a nicer option. Also, the sleeves don't have a lot of give - it takes just a bit of effort to get them over the doll's hands when putting the coat on, and the puff-sleeve sweaters in this collection don't really work well with the coat. (I had to leave it open because the Velcro couldn't reach to close when I put it on Jess while she was wearing one of the sweaters.) I think it's best over a sleeveless top or one that's made out of thin fabric, and I don't think the coat would really work on one of the older PC big-bodied dolls. Finally, not a big deal for me but I do remember someone mentioning it when first released, the dark navy Velcro strip remains visible if you choose to leave the coat open. (Personally, I think that although it's visible, the busyness of the plaid distracts from it being too obvious.)
Overall, while I think the coat has some limitations, I do like the piece and I'm glad that I have it. I think I'd give it a B.
It comes in a package with a thick cardboard hanger (printed with both American Girl and Janie and Jack):
Outfit suggestions on the back of the package:
The plaid matches up in front:
Close up of the faux fur collar and the flannel or brushed cotton outside of the coat:
Close up of the reverse side of the fabric, and the label (no special label for this collaboration):
Close up of one of the front pockets (nice that it’s functional and stands out with the diagonal plaid, also nice that the flap has a decorative gold button): (NOTE THAT IT’S NOT THIS ORANGE IN REAL LIFE!)
I like the shape of the back, with the longer length, curve, and reverse pleat:
The coat closed completely when Kira put it on over the Tartan Plaid Outfit:
But no such luck when Jess put it on over one of the puff-sleeve sweater tops from the collection:
Even when it’s open, though, I don’t think the Velcro strip is too distracting.